What was your truly first bike?
- Thread starter gobs
- Start date
Hi Friends,
In France where I lived when I was kid, you can't drive a bike before being 14, at this time, thus in 1967, i got my firts bike which was a Solex 3800 S.
That's a mythic bike with the engine moving the front wheel and that you can switch to bicycle very easily, in fact I do not have any pictures from that time but I found some on the Internet, just to illustrate what it was.
Then, I grew in the scale of biking by aquiring a Caddy Motobecane and then a "Bleue" AV88 Motobecane...all that was the classical route for a French kid....and then came the Japanese, first with Honda the famous Honda P50 (with the engine inside the rear wheel) who gave a transistor radio for each buying of bike, the Honda CB50, and then all the CB range up to CB 750 the very famous Honda Four...
On an other side Kawasaki was launching its Kawa 500 3 cylinders 2 strokes, I had one and particpate to the Motul Kawasaki Promotion Challenge "Coupe Kawasaki"....before they change it fro the 400 cc
In France where I lived when I was kid, you can't drive a bike before being 14, at this time, thus in 1967, i got my firts bike which was a Solex 3800 S.
That's a mythic bike with the engine moving the front wheel and that you can switch to bicycle very easily, in fact I do not have any pictures from that time but I found some on the Internet, just to illustrate what it was.
Then, I grew in the scale of biking by aquiring a Caddy Motobecane and then a "Bleue" AV88 Motobecane...all that was the classical route for a French kid....and then came the Japanese, first with Honda the famous Honda P50 (with the engine inside the rear wheel) who gave a transistor radio for each buying of bike, the Honda CB50, and then all the CB range up to CB 750 the very famous Honda Four...
On an other side Kawasaki was launching its Kawa 500 3 cylinders 2 strokes, I had one and particpate to the Motul Kawasaki Promotion Challenge "Coupe Kawasaki"....before they change it fro the 400 cc
A Honda C90, when I was 8. It was a wreck, but it went, used to use it down the local gravel pits at the weekend. I learned to ride a real motorbike when my mate Kevin, who is a cousin of Elton John taught me to ride his BSA Bantam at the same gravel pit. All these years and a 100 bikes later, I am dowm to 3 BMW's, 3 Harleys and a Kawasaki. The Harleys are all up for sale, the BMW's are not!!!! :happy2:
Hello. I am new to this forum, and I thought this thread would be a good start.
My first bike was a 1958 Royal Enfield 650 single cylinder. I bought it in 1965 as a University freshman for $200. About the only memory I have of that bike is it throwing me over the handlebar trying to kick start it. Over the next 35 or so years I went through 14 different Hondas ranging from a CB160 to a CB900C. Some of the best times I had during that time was on various dirt bikes. Riding in the dirt and mud of New England taught me how to ride a motorcycle.
When I moved to California, I bought a BMW R1150RT. It was a great bike in a lot of ways, but it was far too heavy, and outrageously expensive to maintain. I kept it for only 7 years.
I moved to Thailand almost two years ago and bought a Phantom. It's okay, but at only 17 HP I am growing increasingly dissatisfied with it. I am very reluctant to buy a 'big bike' here with a gray book and altered frame number. It seems like the only legal big bikes are a selection of Kawasakis. The ER-6n looks like a possible choice.
Cheers everyone
Steve in Ban Phe, Rayong
My first bike was a 1958 Royal Enfield 650 single cylinder. I bought it in 1965 as a University freshman for $200. About the only memory I have of that bike is it throwing me over the handlebar trying to kick start it. Over the next 35 or so years I went through 14 different Hondas ranging from a CB160 to a CB900C. Some of the best times I had during that time was on various dirt bikes. Riding in the dirt and mud of New England taught me how to ride a motorcycle.
When I moved to California, I bought a BMW R1150RT. It was a great bike in a lot of ways, but it was far too heavy, and outrageously expensive to maintain. I kept it for only 7 years.
I moved to Thailand almost two years ago and bought a Phantom. It's okay, but at only 17 HP I am growing increasingly dissatisfied with it. I am very reluctant to buy a 'big bike' here with a gray book and altered frame number. It seems like the only legal big bikes are a selection of Kawasakis. The ER-6n looks like a possible choice.
Cheers everyone
Steve in Ban Phe, Rayong
My first bike was a 650 Triumph Thunderbird, ex police bike at the age of 14. With a few mates at boarding school, we striped it down in the garage of a local guy 'Dezzy Gordon' who's house and garage was at the bottom of our playing fields, a very secretive location when you are supposed to be playing rugby! We remodeled it into a cafe racer for about the price of a bacon sandwich as I recall.
One of my mates dropped it. We were expelled........
One of my mates dropped it. We were expelled........
My first bike was a 1974 Honda CB360. It was a 'hand me down' from my big brother. The first time I ever rode it was to 'double' him back to a Christmas party. He had managed to make it home to shower and change clothes, but decided he was too drunk to make it back. I was 15 (although I probably looked 12) and unlicensed. I remember it like it was yesterday because not only had I never ridden on the road before, but it was also my first time carrying a pillion (and he was drunk). He eventually gave me the bike a few years later.
I don't have a photo of my bike, but it looked just like this one (same colour too)
I don't have a photo of my bike, but it looked just like this one (same colour too)
Thanks for posting that photo of the CB360, it was my first "big" bike, bought it for US $280 in California in 1986. The points needed constant attention and it would often run on one cylinder only. But lots of fun! And memories. No helmet law in those days, the beach wasn't far, I was young and the little bike felt like a 750 after a Humbolt Special.
Moved up from there to a Nighthawk 450, then Yamaha 650 and Virago 750 and lots of others.
Lots of people should remember this bike, they made millions of the CB250, 350 and 360.
Moved up from there to a Nighthawk 450, then Yamaha 650 and Virago 750 and lots of others.
Lots of people should remember this bike, they made millions of the CB250, 350 and 360.
My first bike was a Yellow 1970 Honda Z50 bought for $50 when I was 9 years old. What mechanical skills I gained in life, started with this bike. When you are 10 years old, and want to ride. You quickly learn how to fix a bike. Even after all these years, I still could probably remember every nut, bolt and screw on the bike below.
KZ
The CB360 I owned in reality was a piece of shit compared to bikes I have owned since, but it definitely has provided me with the best memories. Sounds like yours was the same.
Cheers
SV
The CB360 I owned in reality was a piece of shit compared to bikes I have owned since, but it definitely has provided me with the best memories. Sounds like yours was the same.
Cheers
SV
Ohh great thread..
The first bike I remember riding (both as a toddler pillion) and later nicking it and blasting round fields was a c70 step through my mother had.. Not much different from an old dream here. I must have been around 6 by the time I was big enough to pinch it.. That ignited a fire that wasnt going to be put out. Every year come christmas or birthday I made it clear I wanted a motorbike.. And each one passed and I didnt get one. One year maybe around 8 or 9ish my Dad said to me "son.. I am never going to buy you a bike.. If you hurt yourself your mother will crucify me" I remember it clear as a bell as that was the day I knew I had to go get it myself.
My first bike was a broken down busted up SS50 that was languishing in a farm shed after a kid had taken a dive and lost part of his little finger on it.. It had flat tyres, wouldnt start, slight twist to the forks and was mine for a mere 15 quid. I also remember pushing it the couple of miles home and the look of horror on my mothers face as I pushed this yellow bike, still covered in the last owners blood down our drive.
By some miracle I was able to make it run, and with a toolkit of a mid size hammer and a hacksaw removed all the lights and anything not needed to go fast !! jumped on the forks to make them straighter and a tin of flat black paint and the most fun I ever had !! I rode that thing dawn to dusk every free day, every night after school and every minute I had. Learnt valuable life skills like how to syphon my dads tank when he parked the car the wrong way round and I was out of sight... Taught all the local kids to ride on it.. Picked up a couple of fresh scars.. All the joys of youth !! Amazingly as I think of it, and all the abuse it took.. That thing gave me 2 - 3 years of hard service without needing a part (that I remember) !!
Theres been many others.. But she was my first..
Later sometime around 12 - 14.. who thinks hes cool ??
The first bike I remember riding (both as a toddler pillion) and later nicking it and blasting round fields was a c70 step through my mother had.. Not much different from an old dream here. I must have been around 6 by the time I was big enough to pinch it.. That ignited a fire that wasnt going to be put out. Every year come christmas or birthday I made it clear I wanted a motorbike.. And each one passed and I didnt get one. One year maybe around 8 or 9ish my Dad said to me "son.. I am never going to buy you a bike.. If you hurt yourself your mother will crucify me" I remember it clear as a bell as that was the day I knew I had to go get it myself.
My first bike was a broken down busted up SS50 that was languishing in a farm shed after a kid had taken a dive and lost part of his little finger on it.. It had flat tyres, wouldnt start, slight twist to the forks and was mine for a mere 15 quid. I also remember pushing it the couple of miles home and the look of horror on my mothers face as I pushed this yellow bike, still covered in the last owners blood down our drive.
By some miracle I was able to make it run, and with a toolkit of a mid size hammer and a hacksaw removed all the lights and anything not needed to go fast !! jumped on the forks to make them straighter and a tin of flat black paint and the most fun I ever had !! I rode that thing dawn to dusk every free day, every night after school and every minute I had. Learnt valuable life skills like how to syphon my dads tank when he parked the car the wrong way round and I was out of sight... Taught all the local kids to ride on it.. Picked up a couple of fresh scars.. All the joys of youth !! Amazingly as I think of it, and all the abuse it took.. That thing gave me 2 - 3 years of hard service without needing a part (that I remember) !!
Theres been many others.. But she was my first..
Later sometime around 12 - 14.. who thinks hes cool ??
Well this is the first bike I bought, a Honda (Wuyang) WH-125 S, wich I believe is build on the basis of the Honda CG 125. I rode it for about 4 months during winter time in Shandong province (PRC), and managed about 7500 km. It was about 7000 RMB, including insurance and registration. The quality was rather Honda like than a Chinese bike.
Prior this I had for a month a electric scooter (silent killer), I made around 1500 km on this one, but the batteries went down quickly. About 60-65 km range new, which came down to 45-50 km after one month, so I changed to the Honda.
Prior this I had for a month a electric scooter (silent killer), I made around 1500 km on this one, but the batteries went down quickly. About 60-65 km range new, which came down to 45-50 km after one month, so I changed to the Honda.
Hi, I'm new to the forum, which is both informative and interesting, thought this may be a suitable place for a 1st post. I don't live in the GT, I'm in Ta Phraya, Sa Kaew province, 3km from the Cambodian border (50km north of Aranya Phratet), but hope to tour up there once I get a suitable bike, as the bike I bought isn't suitable for touring (see below). I've only owned 7 bikes in the 28 years I've been riding, so thought I'd include them all, couldn't find any photos of my older bikes so 'nicked' some photos from the web. OK here we go!
1983-1985 DT50MX Parents bought me this at 16 to ride to school as cheaper than buying me a season ticket on the tube for 2 years! I actually took and passed my moped test enabling me to rip up my L plates and carry pillions, though the 3hp (de-restricted to get about 5hp) had trouble pulling 2 people around so evntually it had aTY80 engine implanted!
1985-1985 This was replaced with a DT125LC at 17 which was unfortunately stolen soon after I started poly.
Having no money as a student, I found one of these CJ250T lieing at the side of the road and managed to get it registerd in my name.
When I'd saved a bit of money, a Kawasaki KDX175 followed.
When I'd finished poly and found a job, I bought a Transalp and toured round Europe for a month, bought in 1989, sold in 2009, it had a second incarnation when I 'super-moto'd' it, I beat Aprillia to making the first V twin SM.
The Transalp was a bit heavy and under-powered as an SM, so I bought one of these - I love(d) this bike, so much fun - a bit of a 'hooligan' tool KTM 520EXC SM
And finally my current bike, continuing the SM theme but in miniature!
Thanks for reading and hopefully will head up north for a ride, once I get something bigger, any news on if and when the Versys might be available?
Trev
1983-1985 DT50MX Parents bought me this at 16 to ride to school as cheaper than buying me a season ticket on the tube for 2 years! I actually took and passed my moped test enabling me to rip up my L plates and carry pillions, though the 3hp (de-restricted to get about 5hp) had trouble pulling 2 people around so evntually it had aTY80 engine implanted!
1985-1985 This was replaced with a DT125LC at 17 which was unfortunately stolen soon after I started poly.
Having no money as a student, I found one of these CJ250T lieing at the side of the road and managed to get it registerd in my name.
When I'd saved a bit of money, a Kawasaki KDX175 followed.
When I'd finished poly and found a job, I bought a Transalp and toured round Europe for a month, bought in 1989, sold in 2009, it had a second incarnation when I 'super-moto'd' it, I beat Aprillia to making the first V twin SM.
The Transalp was a bit heavy and under-powered as an SM, so I bought one of these - I love(d) this bike, so much fun - a bit of a 'hooligan' tool KTM 520EXC SM
And finally my current bike, continuing the SM theme but in miniature!
Thanks for reading and hopefully will head up north for a ride, once I get something bigger, any news on if and when the Versys might be available?
Trev
My first bike was a Honda C90 scrambler backin 1970 when was 7. First road legal bike was a Yamaha Y-AS1 when I was 14 riding around illegally under aged! First legal bike when I was 17 was a Yamaha RD250B, first new bike was a Suzuki GS1000E when I was 17 which I wrote off after only two weeks in a high speed collision with a wild horse! OUCH! That did hurt!
My first road bike was like this one a Yamaha XS 650.
The guy i bought it off replaced the pistons and rings because it was running on 1 1/2 cylinders only to find that it was still the same after,so i got it at a fire sale price....he actually threatened to burn it 555
Ended up finding that a rubber diaphragm on top of the right carb had a split in it.
Replaced it with a $5 part from the wreckers.She ran fine after that.
I tidied it up and got a custom paint job done and sold it later on for many multiples of what i paid for it.
Been modify and fiddling with bikes ever since.
The guy i bought it off replaced the pistons and rings because it was running on 1 1/2 cylinders only to find that it was still the same after,so i got it at a fire sale price....he actually threatened to burn it 555
Ended up finding that a rubber diaphragm on top of the right carb had a split in it.
Replaced it with a $5 part from the wreckers.She ran fine after that.
I tidied it up and got a custom paint job done and sold it later on for many multiples of what i paid for it.
Been modify and fiddling with bikes ever since.
1959 Ariel Leader 250cc 2T, Taken 1961 @ Tintern Abby ... No helmet Law in those days
Attached files
Attached files
My second bike was 1960 BSA 500 ss ... 3rd 1961 Norton 99 ss 600 ...4th 1964 Norton Atlas 750 converted that into Dunstall trim ... those were the days )))
Attached files
)))Attached files
A BMW R 45 which I paid 3,800 German Marks for. It had a kick starter and the frame of the R 65. ~ 5 liters / 100 km, a smooth boxer engine and I had a few issues like fuel getting into the oil and a blown engine (at night on the Autobahn). had the engine rebuilt and then sold the bike. Big mistake!
Learner's bike was a GPZ 305 with a red-line choke.
Learner's bike was a GPZ 305 with a red-line choke.
Hi Ken. the old XS were a good bike in their day.
i have some friends in Oz that race vintage motorcross and short circuit.
there are a couple of XS 650 flat trackers going around,one of them an ex Eddie Lawson bike from the states as well as my mates and he also has a XS 650 side car that has ended up at about 750 or bigger last time i spoke to him.
actually thinking back the guy i bought mine off put the 750 kit in the one i bought.